7.30.2011

Recently I was contacted by a junking acquaintance to make two crowns for her...now, this is a little out of the ordinary for me...I'm not a glitter/glam/lace/ruffle girl...but she didn't want ordinary...she wanted something no one else would have...

She was attending a three day event to celebrate a friend's 70th birthday...including a tux and tiara gala with a circus theme and a live elephant...it sounded like quite the soiree...so I went to work...

The completed crowns...aluminum duct metal for base...white paint & glitter for the surface...antique buttons and silk ribbons and other found objects for embellishment...

She called me last Monday to let me know that the event was spectacular,she was exhausted from partying all weekend and the crowns were the perfect touch...no one had anything like them...mission accomplished!

7.28.2011

As part of The Altered Page blog hook-up, Buried Treasure, I'm re-posting one of my favorites. The aim of Buried Treasure is to discover artist's blogs that you may not have seen...in the morass of the internet, its easy to get buried! The criteria was to re-post a favorite past post...its interesting that the one I picked is related to getting ready for the Fresh Paint art show in August...of which I'm currently in the midst of prepping for this year's 2011 show...In the weeks ahead, I'll be posting some previews of my current work which is a take-off from these past collages - so please check back!

Over the years, I have accumulated quite a collection of cabinet cards. I'm not quite sure why I collected them but the expressions of each subject conveyed something to me - I was curious about these men and women. To get you up to speed, here's the definition of cabinet cards from Wikipedia http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cabinet_card

Surveying their expressions, I wondered what these individuals had to say - what were their lives like, what were they thinking when their picture was taken, what happened afterwards... So I decided on an art project that would attach a story to each picture and embellish each assemblage with vintage found objects. Since I have many old books including interesting narrative novels from the early 1900's, I looked through these texts to find the words that conveyed the story that I imagined from the photograph.

I've been having a great time - the melodramatic scenarios that I have chosen to accompany each photo are a hoot! And the 3-D effect from including vintage materials in the composition adds a textural element. I also like the fact that I'm using old frames that had been cast aside since losing their glass. Here's some examples-

and the close-up of the text...

These three beauties, and a dozen more, will be for sale at my booth at Fresh Paint, the art festival at the Everett Marina on August 21-22. Additional details are at the Fresh Paint website at www.freshpaintfestival.com. I'll be in Booth 81 - stop by and visit me!

7.25.2011

Sharing my finds from my recent trip to Yakima to visit my sister...I don't know about you but I'm a firm believer that there is strength in numbers...and when fortitude is rewarded with multitude, the junking gods are on your side...

We went to several estate sales that had boxes upon boxes of stuff...you never know what you might find...the enormous light bulb was found first...it is will complete the perfect trio, complementing the two other large bulbs I already have at home. And then when I came across the small and medium bulbs (and the english ironstone platter for 75 cents!) how could I leave them behind...they will be part of my letters & numbers/scientific study vignette at Faded Elegance come fall.

Likewise here with the Brownie Kodak cameras...in the past, I would have passed by such an item as this...but with my increasing interest in photography, it caught my eye...it was only $1 so into the pile...

Next sale...this camera...this time its $4.00 - a high ticket item! But it calls out my name...

Last sale...could not believe it...a third Brownie camera - and with the attached flash...its really out of the budget ($7.50!) but its at one of my favorite charity thrift stores in Yakima, the Union Gospel Mission Lighthouse Thrift Store, so I justify that its all for a good cause...

and really...when the junk gods are on your side, who are you to argue...

7.22.2011

Its been a productive week...getting new pieces finished for my upcoming art show, Fresh Paint. Here's a sampling of what I call my "inspiration squares"...a digital reprint of one of my photos mounted on a painted cedar fence cap with a background of original vintage paper...using anything from old dictionary pages to scraps of antique maps to snippets of wallpaper gives each square its uniqueness...

and speaking of inspiration...thanks to those few who gave me ideas on what to do for inspiration on myif you had 5 days and $1000 post...it only seems right to send out something special to each of them...a packet of my notecards...using the same designs pictured above. So Jane and Jenifer - send me your snail mail address so I can pop these packets in the mail to each of you. Jenell - I already have your address...you'll be getting a packet too.

7.19.2011

There seems to be a proliferation of Southern influence that I have been noticing...maybe its just me...I live with a Southern man so maybe this sharpens my radar...maybe its because we've been talking about moving south...maybe its because its now hip to be Southern...they certainly have a fine way of living...though I still don't understand the appeal of sweet tea and boiled peanuts...but I'm a Northern girl, what do I know...

Case in point...stumbled across this multi-media collage artist (thank you Altered Page!). His name is Jason Twiggy Lott and his work is astonishing. He is from the South and identifies that living in the South definitely influences his work...would love to see this in person...the detail is incredible...check out his website here.

Pari-Passu by Jason Twiggy Lottreprint permission granted by artist

There's a new magazine on the horizon called FOLK. In a similar vein to Garden & Gun (which I wrote about here), there is a definite Southern bent since the personalities behind it are from Kentucky...but it looks like they will cover a broad range of Americana and a celebration of a simple honest lifestyle.

And speaking of Kentucky...there's this store in Lexington called Finderskeepers Market (thank you Anything Goes Here for the heads up on this one!) that has a eclectic mix of vintage style presented with a modern vibe...James Snowden (who calls himself the New Victorian Ruralist) is the owner and his blog profiles his design aesthetic as well as "secrets to a life less ordinary".

One final note...opening August 10 is the movie version of The Help, the bestselling novel by Kathryn Stockett set in Mississippi in the 1960s...there'll be plenty of talk about this one...haven't read the book yet...best to put it on my summer reading list...

7.18.2011

are my climbing roses...with the cool weather here, the blooms have lasted a long time...its easy to clip a stem to bring inside...with stalks of purple wheatgrass from my alley...all nestled in a well-loved silver teapot...displayed on an overturned ironstone dish...the English marks are always so beautiful...suits the roses just fine...

7.17.2011

Seth Apter is an artist...and an art supporter/aficionado/cheerleader/jack of many trades. He has a fantastic blog, The Altered Page, where he focuses not just on his art, but the art of many others.

Seth produces a regular edition of The Pulse -- The State of the Art -- a survey in words and pictures of the online artist community. Now in its 5th edition, The Pulse is a collaborative project that aims to introduce you to new artists, help you get to know familiar faces even more, and allow you access into the creative hearts and minds of a very talented crew of individuals. For this current edition, more than 130 artists have answered a series of questions which make up The Pulse. Their responses will be presented in a series of online posts which will run every Sunday.

I am happy (actually ecstatic!) to be one of the artists featured in this edition...The Pulse is set up to examine a different aspect of each artist's work...the first installment is called Style File and examines how each artist views their technique. Click here to read today's Style File installment which includes my collage and how it exemplifies my artistic style...

I'll have The Pulse icon posted on my right hand margin so you can check it out on a frequent and on-going basis...a true source of inspiration...

7.15.2011

While I was in Yakima last weekend, my sister and I shopped at the Farmers' Market on Sunday morning. Since the weather is drier and warmer on the eastern side of the state (as opposed to where I am - cold and wet!), the selection of produce at this time of the year is far better than what I can get at my local farmers' market.

There was plenty I brought home for week night dinners...apricots, garlic, green beans, zucchini, kale...and arugula. Now, I had never tasted arugula before - never really gave it much thought...but the owner of Punkin Center Farms was extolling its virtues to another customer so I munched on a leaf...I loved the peppery, fresh taste...I bought a bag and concocted my recipe...

My plan was to make a salad...washed the arugula...

sliced up the apricots...

made a balsamic vinaigrette with the garlic and a little red onion...

as well as simple marinade for a couple of boneless chicken breasts...I like to add the marinade to the breasts in a plastic container with a tight lid and then shake it all up...the marinade is evenly distributed and flavors the chicken nicely.

Once the chicken was sauteed, it was time to put the salad together. I lightly dressed the arugula, sliced up a chicken breast, added the sliced red onions and apricots and topped it off with a sprinkle of gorgonzola cheese. With a side of homemade three seed bread, it was the perfect farmers' market meal.

7.12.2011

Earlier this year I signed up for a 5 day seminar sponsored by Angela Ritchie/Ace Camps...an intensive workshop with Pia Jane Bijkerk, an Australian photographer/stylist/artist/author, taking place in Vancouver BC. Not only was I excited about the instructor and the smallness of the group (only 14 participants) but it was taking place in a beautiful city that I love and I could travel by train and be in Vancouver in 3 hours...

Alas, the best laid plans...unfortunately the workshop had to be cancelled...I am bummed...I wanted an artistic/inspirational experience to give me a little more motivation and maybe take my work in a new direction...

So I am asking for your input...

If you had 5 days and $1000,what would you do to give yourself a motivational/inspirational kick in the seat of the pants? Ideally this sum of money would cover transportation, food, housing and anything else that would be needed during these 5 days...

I'm thinking that I'll send off something special to the person who submits the idea I like the best...a framed digital print of my latest photo collage, "inspire"

I'm putting a cut-off date of July 20 for comments...of course this is totally subjective...there is no right or wrong answer...it just needs to be inspired!

7.11.2011

I spent this past weekend visiting my sister who lives on the other side of the state. When I left Everett on Friday morning, it was 64 degrees and cloudy...when I got to Yakima three hours later it was 75 degrees and sunny...in between there was Snoqualmie Pass (crossing the Cascade Mts for those of you not from the Pacific NW)...there were still patches of snow in the pass...testament to the cold spring/summer we have been having here!

My sister is the gardener; I am not. I posted about the initial stages of her garden here...its only been two years and the results are astonishing...that is her constant companion Tupper in the photo...he is tied up since there is a mother cat with her newborn kitties just on the other side of the back fence...and he will not give them any peace!

Everything has been filling in nicely...the plants in the garden and the accouterments in the garden shed and outdoor patio...

7.09.2011

My first silverware lamp was such a success, (read the posts about my first creation here and here) that I decided to create another version...this time more petite...

I alternated sugar spoons with dessert forks to encircle the wire frame. I left most of the metal frame exposed since I liked the peeling white paint/rusted metal combo. I used white seam binding to wrap the top of the frame once I had wired all the silverware in place.

This silverware lamp is part of the English tea garden vignette in my space at Faded Elegance...I've had such a great time making these silverware shades that I'm working on a couple of ideas for other mixed media lampshades...possibly involving brass metal stencils...I'll keep you posted...

7.07.2011

yes, an English tea garden is what inspired me as I changed out my space today at Faded Elegance...now, granted not everything is British, but everything meshes so lovely together,regardless of their origin...

I'm lovin' the pillars of fabric I created...I had vintage cotton bedsheets with these stunning patterns...I had a few quilting frames that I whitewashed...I thought about stretching the sheets across the frames...but as I was fussing with them, I had a eureka moment...why not encircle the frame with the fabric and let the fabric hang down...

I went to work...played with the fabric on each frame until it was even and taut, tighten the clamp so everything was secure, screwed three small eye-hooks, evenly spaced, along the perimeter of the quilt frame and then hung each "pillar" with cord from a ceiling hook. Wouldn't these look great hanging in your garden or on your patio - the wind would catch the fabric and make it flutter...and they would be washable!

Though this tea set is German, its design is exquisite...

I love the worn patina on both this metal painted tray and the silver cup...

I left metal binder clips outside over the winter to rust...they're perfect to hang old botanical prints...

I picked up quite a few fabric dress belts once at the Flagstaff, AZ Goodwill outlet...I don't know what happened to the 1950's shirtwaist dresses they came from...but I found the belts interesting so bought them. Over the years I've used them to wrap up gifts, hang pictures and secure rolls of wallpaper...today I wrapped a few around a couple of wire lamp frames...thought it looked pretty...

If you're in the area, please stop in at Faded Elegance...though we might not be serving tea, the reception will be warm and welcome...

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all rights reserved. please do not reproduce, use or copy my images, photos, artwork or text without my express permission. email inquiries to amy_duncan@yahoo.com.
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